Y'town detective details what he saw at home of homicide victim

YOUNGSTOWN

In his time as a Youngstown Police detective, Detective Sgt. Ron Rodway has investigated more than 200 homicides.

Yet he testified Thursday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court that the Nov. 6, 2015, beating death of Erika Huff, 41, in her Cleveland Street home was different for two reasons.

The first: Her mother, Denise Johnson, was also attacked by the man on trial for Huff’s death and survived.

The second: Lance Hundley, 48, of Warren, was still at the crime scene when police arrived.

Hundley could face the death penalty if convicted of the aggravated murder of Huff, who used a wheelchair because of multiple sclerosis. Hundley also faces charges of attempted murder for beating Johnson and aggravated arson for trying to burn Huff’s body and the house.

Testimony began Monday before Judge Maureen Sweeney and is expected to continue today.

Beside Rodway, the lead detective on the case, other prosecution witnesses included members of the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation who tested evidence collected by police at the scene.

When police arrived at the home they found a bedroom where Johnson was on fire, and they pulled her out. Huff’s body was in the room and Hundley was in the home.

Read more about the case in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.